Magny-Cours SBK | Aprilia’s Guintoli Quickest Friday

Though the threat of rain was present at Magny-Cours, the 19-rider World Superbike grid was quickly up to speed Friday during the first qualifying session for the penultimate round of the 2013 season.

And setting the pace was the home favorite, Aprilia Racing Team’s Sylvain Guintoli. The RSV4 pilot was the only rider to break the 1:38 barrier, Guintoli posting a 1:38.709 around the 4.41-mile circuit containing 20 corners.

Guintoli was 0.386 of a second quicker than the current World SBK points leader, Kawasaki Racing Team’s Tom Sykes (ZX-10R Ninja), and 0.669 of a second quicker than BMW Motorrad GoldBet’s Chaz Davies (S1000RR).

Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing RSV4 Superbike) says: “Today was a good day for us, not only because of the best time in the qualifiers but above all because of the feeling I have with my RSV4 here at Magny-Cours.

“I did my fast lap on a ten-lap old tire and that means that we are definitely moving in the right direction. I want to focus on riding and being fast in every session. The first day went well, but what happens on Sunday is what counts!”

Laverty spent most of the session around 10th, but was able to reach fifth by the end of Friday’s Q1 session.

The eight-time World Endurance Champion Vincent Philippe, who recently took the 2013 WEC title with the Suzuki Endurance Racing Team, finished seventh during his day aboard the FIXI Crescent Suzuki GSX-R1000. Philippe is riding for the injured Leon Camier.

Rounding out the top 10 Friday were BMW Motorrad GoldBet’s Marco Melandri, Pata Honda World Superbike’s Michel Fabrizio (CBR1000RR Fireblade), and Team Ducati Alstare’s Michele Pirro (1199 Panigale), the Ducati test team rider who made his debut WSBK appearance Friday.

The riders will return to Magny-Cours Saturday for another round of practice/qualifying sessions ahead of Superpole.